To sort out size, structure, kinematics,
other basic properties, we need:
• Bright objects visible at large distances
• Objects above or below the plane – so as not
obscured by gas, dust
• Ways to measure distances to those objects -- KEY
• Ways to see material other than stars
– Gas, dust, ???, total (dark) mass distribution
• Ways to map motion of objects in our Galaxy
• Examples of other Galaxies